MMHMF Honoree

2018 Service Award Recipient

DEACON JOHN W. ELLIS, JR.

The Foundation is pleased to honor Deacon John W. Ellis Jr., a long-time resident of Chesterfield County, who has served the community and his church for decades. Today, he is still active in both.

Deacon Ellis has been a member of Union Grove Baptist Church (UGBC) – South Chesterfield, for over 70 years and is one of the oldest members in the church family. His favorite scriptures are:

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

As a very active member of UGBC, he faithfully serves with a high level of commitment. The following represents his service record:

• Deacons Ministry where he is the oldest Deacon and served 50 plus years; during this time, he served as Chairman for five years;
• Church Treasurer for 28 years;
• Teacher of the Young Adult Sunday School Class;
• Music Ministry participant where he began singing in the Junior Choir decades ago. God has given Deacon Ellis the gift of reading music and playing the piano. He sings bass in the New Covenant Choir, Male Chorus, and the Harold E. Braxton Memorial Choir. He is well known for his lead role in selections like "Seeking for a City", "When I Rose this Morning", and other choral selections. He has the ability to "line music" (a black history music concept) for selections such as "Amazing Grace";
• Member of the Music Committee;
• Member of Men's Ministry;
• Member of the Revival Committee;
• Support member for Trustee's Ministry.

In the community, Deacon Ellis works with the Civic and Progressive Action Association of the Matoaca Magisterial District (CAPAAMMD) and was honored by the group for his community service.

Deacon Ellis sings in the Community Choir that performs for various services and events.

He assists with the Downtown Churches Feeding Program in Petersburg, and he continues to help others by providing lawn service and doing auto mechanic work.

Deacon Ellis has supported the youth in Union Grove as well as those in the community. For example, he attends their high school football and basketball games, and he has sponsored several young people on church trips to Baltimore, Kings Dominion and Hershey Park. For Christmas, he purchased bicycles for children in need.

Deacon Ellis' motto is "If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain."